Tubular watchcase



Dec. 20, 1932. H. SCHLACHT TUBULAR WATCHCASE Filed May 11. 1931 avwwnto'c Patented Dec. 20, 1932 PATEN T OFFICE HERMAN SCHLACHT, OF WO'ODHAVEN, NEW YORK TUBULAR WATCHCASE Application filed May 11,

My invention relates more specifically to a case to hold the movement known to the trade as Baguet movements which are very small narrow rectangular movements.

My invention has for its principal obj ectto construct a case for such a movement which can be carried in a ladys vanity case or if desired, be worn as a pendant.

A further object is to so construct it that 10 the movement and the crystal for it will be protected from injury except when the case is opened to inspect the face of the watch.

A further object is to construct a case which n will not require the use of expensive dies to manufacture but which will hold the case firmly and safely in position.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is an enlarged longitudinal section of my improved tubular case, the movement being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a cross section'of the same;

Figs. 3 and 4L are side elevations of my improved case as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but are actual size, showing the means of closing the case;

Figs. 5 and 6 are the same but showing a different form of closure;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the case with the closure shown in Figs. 5 and 6; e I

Fig. 8 is a cross section on the line 88 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line 99 in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 101s a cross section showing the movement mounted in anoval tube.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawing the movement 1 is mounted in a. tube 2. This tube has a cut 5 out portion 3 corresponding to the face 4 of the movement. Lugs 5 and 6 are formed on the inner surface of the tube 2 and engage the upper corners 8 and 9 of the movement 1.

The lower corners 10 and 11 rest against the 0 tubing forming the chord of the segment of 1931. Serial No. 536,353.

the lower part of the tubing, a semi-circular member 12 is slid into the inside of the tube 2 to cover an aperture 12 formed to permit the insertion of a tool to fasten the stem 13. The stem 13 projects through a slot orhole Madjacent the edge of the cut out portion to receive the stem 13, the crown 16 being just outside the tubing. -A key way 17 is formed in the outer wall of the tubing 2 and extends the entire length of the case. Wire springs 18 and 19 are mounted and slide in this slot. A glass crystal 20 is mounted intermediate the walls 21 and 22 of the tube 2 and the lugs 5 and 6 to protect the face at of the movement 1. The ends of the tube are closed by caps or plugs 24 and 25 as shown they are secured in place by screws 26 and 27, though obviously any suitable or desired means of securing them in place may be employed. Slidably mounted on the outside'of tube 2 are collars 28 and 29. These collars have holes 30 and 31 formed in which are mounted the ends 32 of the springs 18 and 19 which furnish sufiicient frictional engagement to hold the collars in adjusted position. The springs also serve to prevent the rotation of the collars on the tube, thus getting them out of register with the crown 16 which enters the recess formed in the collars when the case is closed so that a it is entirely covered when they are at the center. To close the watch the collars are slid inwardly to the position indicated in the dotted lines-Fig. '1, and full lines-Fig. 4.: To open the case they are slid to the position shown full lines in Figs. 1 and 3. Another way of opening and closing case is shown in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive in which an inner tube 33 which has the movement 1 mounted in it the same as it is in the tube 2, is soldered to a cap 34 This tube has a circumferential groove 35 formed in its wall adjacent the cap 3 1. An outer tube 36 which telescopes the tube 33 is rotatably mounted on said inner tube 33, its ends being closed by ac'a-p or plug 37 to which it is secured by screws 38 or in any other desired manner. Screws 39 are mounted at the other end of tube 36, their inner ends registering with the groove '35, thus permitting the inner tube 33 to be rotated insideof tube-36. Suitable suspension means 40 are formed on the caps 34 and 24, to which may be conveniently attached a cord to carry or lift the watch by or to engage a chain as the owner desires to use the watch as a pendant. A watch case thus made is exceedingly minute as may be seen from the full or life size views Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive but it is thoroughly dust proof and entirely protected from accidental injury when closed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the tubing can be drawn just as it is to be used so that all which needs to be done is to cut it up in the desired lengths, cut out the portions to show the face of the movement, and to receive the stem. The plugs are inserted and secured and the watch is assembled in the oval form of tubing shown in Fig. 10. The lugs 5 and 6 may be omitted if desired as the conformation of the tube will hold the watch movement in place. Obviously in this form, or any other irregular shape of tube, square, polygonal or otherwise, the sliding collar form of closure should be used. It will be apparent that the rotation of the cap 34 will turn the face of the movement away from the cut out portion in the outer tube 36 and thus effectually close the watch while its rotation on the opposite direction will bring it into register therewith and the face of the watch can be seen.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s:

1. A watch case comprising a tube having .a cut out portion in its wall a rectangular movement mounted therein and having its face in register with said cut out port-ion, the stem of said movement projecting beyond the wall of the tube, and movable means mounted on the tube to close said out out portion.

2. A watch case comprising a tube having a cut out portion in its wall, a rectangular movement mounted therein and having its face in register with said cut out portion,

' the stem of said movement projecting beyond the wall of said tube, and collars slidably mounted on the exterior of said tube to close said cut out portion.

3. A watch case comprising a tube having a cut out portion in its wall, a rectangular movement mounted therein and having its face in register with said out out portion, the stem of said movement projecting beyond the wall of the tube, lugs formed on the inner surface of said tube which engage the corners of said movement, and collars slidable on said tube to cover said out out portion.

4. A watch case comprising a tube having a cut out portion in its wall, a rectangular movement mounted therein and having its face in register with said out out portion,

the stem of said movement pro'ecting be yond the wall of the tube, lugs formed on the inner surface of said tube which engage the corners of said movement, and collars slidable on said tube to cover said out out portion, means to prevent the rotation of said collars on said tube, there being an opening in said tube to permit access to said stem and means to close said openin 5. A watch case comprising a tube having a cut out portion in its wall a rectangular movement mounted therein and having its face in register with said out out portion, the stem of said movement projecting beyond the wall of the tube, lugs formed on the inner surface of said tube which engage the corners of said movement, and collars slidable on said tube to cover said out out portion, means to prevent the rotation of said collars on said tube, said means furnishing frictional resistance to the longitudinal movement of said collars, there being an opening in said tube to permit access to said stem and means to close said opening.

6. A watch case comprising an inner and outer tube, the inner one being rotatable in the outer, the outer tube having a cut out portion in its wall, a rectangular movement mounted in the inner tube, the stem of said movement projecting beyond the outer tube, there being a slot in each edge of said cut out portion in which said stem rests when the inner tube is rotated to open or close said watch.

7. A watch case comprising an outer tube, having a segment of its wall cut out, and an inner tube which rotatably telescopes the outer tube, said inner tube having a cut out portion in its wall, a rectangular movement mounted therein and having its face in register with said out out portiom lugs formed on the inner surface of said inner tube which engage the corners of said movement, and means which project beyond the wall of the outer tube to rotate the inner tube in the outer tube, said means constituting an essential part of said movement.

HERMAN SCHLACHT. 

